Knitting machine



KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1942 llllllllllIe T ll/Ill!!! PatentedApr. 20. 1943 KNITTING MACHINE Frank G. Weisbecker, Glenside, Pa.,assignor to Hosiery Patents Inco porated, Lansdale,

Pa., a

corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 5, 1942, Serial No.433,511 11 Claims. -(Cl. 66-126) The invention relates to improvementsin knitting machines and particularly to improvements in yarn carriersand parts thereof for use in straight knitting machines such as thosewhich produce full-fashioned hosiery blanks.

For a showing of a conventional yarn carrier and its use on a straight,full-fashioned hosiery knitting machine. reference may be made to thePatent No. 2,014,341 which issued on September 10, 1935.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel and improved formof yarn carrier which is relatively simple and inexpensive tomanufacture, which is of relatively simple construction, and which isboth durable and eificient in use on a knitting machine.

A further object is to provide a novel and improved form of removableyarn guide tube for yarn carriers.

Still another object is to provide a yarn carrier with a readilyreplaceable yarn guide tube of resilient construction.

A still further object is to provide a yarn carrier with a resilientyarn guide tube, the resilience of which facilitates insertion andreplacement of the tube in the carrier arm as well as avoids damage inevent of the tube striking an obstruction during use.

Another object is to provide a yarn carrier with a removable, resilientyarn guide tube, which is so constructed and mounted as to provide freefeed of yarn by the carrier and to provide a carrier of minimumthickness at its yam discharge end.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from thefollowing description, the appended claims,' and the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

Figure lis a perspective view of a yarn carrier embodying this inventionand assembled ready for use on a straight, full fashioned hosieryknitting machine such as shown in Figure 1 of Patent No. 2,014,341,dated September 10, 1935.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view of the lower end of the yarn carrierof Figure 1, the yarn guide tube being illustrated in a position assumedduring its insertion or withdrawal.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail front elevational view of the lower endof the carrier of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view corresponding to Figure 3. but with the yarn guidetube omitted in Figure 4.

Figures 5, 6 and '7 are cross-sectional views taken on lines 5-5, 6-6and 1-1 respectively of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view of the yarn uide tube of Figures 1and 10.

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the yarn guide tube of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of another yarn carrier embodying thisinvention.

Figure 11 is an enlarged detail, front elevational view of the lower endof the carrier of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the lower end of thecarrier of Figure 10, the yarn guide tube being omitted in Figure 12.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on line Iii-I3 of Figure 11.

The yarn carrier of Figure 1 comprises a carrier arm I and a removableguide tube 2. The carrier arm I is widest at its upper end 3 which is tobe secured to a carrier bar (not shown) of a conventional knittingmachine. A the arm I is preferably of relatively thin. material, itsupper end 3 has a reinforcing plate 4 secured thereto as by welding.Threaded openings 5 are formed in the arm end 3 and the plate 4 toreceive threaded bolts (not shown) for securing the carrier arm I to aknitting machine carrier bar (not shown). The plate 4 may be secured toeither the front or back face of the carrier arm end 3. The carrier armI preferably is of tapered form so that its thinnest portion is at thelower end which supports the tube 2. The lower end of carrier arm I isalso tapered to its opposite edges as shown by Figures 5, 6 and 7.

. Along the center line of the lower carrier arm,

the arm thickness is preferably of substantially the same dimension asthe external diameter of the yarn guide tube 2. Thus the externaldimeter of the tube 2 determines the preferred maximum thickness for thelower carrier arm end, and interference ofthe yarn carrier with otheryarn carriers during use on a knitting machine is minimized. It is to benoted that conventional straight knitting machines have as many as sevenor nine yarn carriers for use in knitting a single stocking blank andthat the lower ends of the carriers travel in closely spaced, parallel.relation, the individual carriers having reciprocating movement andtraveling in an edgewise direction. The lower end edge 6 of the carrierarm I is of curved configuration to provide space for free flexingmovement of the protruding end of the guide tube 2. A bore or passage Iextends along the center line of the arm I from the end edge 6 to an eyeor opening 8. The diameter of the bore I is preferably such as toprovide a free sliding lit for the guide tube 2.

, the carrier arm I.

Where the center of the carrier arm I is thicker than the diameter ofthe bore 1, the process of forming the bore 1 will not result in a breakin the front or rear faces of the carrier arm. Where the diameter of thebore 1 is substantially the same as the thickness of the arm portion inwhich the bore 1 is formed, the front and rear faces may each beslidably separated along a narrow line as indicated at 9. The opening 8is relatively narrow so as to avoid weakening of the carrier arm and ispreferably not substantially greater in width than the external'diameterof the guide tube 2. The upper end of opening 8 terminates adjacent andbelow the bend III in Where the carrier arm I is of suflicientthickness, the opening 8 may be in the form of a recess in one face ofthe carrier arm I to thereby leave the reverse carrier arm faceunbroken. A yam guide groove II extends along the upper face of thecarrier arm I and terminates at the opening 8. A recess or recesses I2are formed in a face of the carrier arm I and extend laterally fromopposite sides of the upper end of the opening 8. The bottom of therecess or recesses I2 may be curved for a Purpose to be described.

The guide tube 2 comprises an apertured tip I5, a resilient tubularportion I6, and an apertured latch-like member or projection I1 whichparts (I5, I6 and I1) may be secured in assembled relation as bywelding. The resilient tubular portion I6 is preferably formed of coiledwire and may comprise both round wire and flat wire as shown by Figure Vof Patent No; 2,101,801, dated December '1, 1937. The tip I5 ispreferably of such material and character as to be resistant to wear dueto yam passing therethrough. The latchiikemember or pin I1 is shaped tofit the recess or recesses I2, one side of the pin I1 being curved tofit the curved recess bottom, and the other side being shaped so as tolie flush with the front face of the carrier arm I. The tubular portionI6 is of such length that, with the pin I1 in the recess or recesses I2,it (I6) extends along the opening 8 through the bore 1 and beyond theouter end of the bore 1 to support th tip I5 ina position beyond theextreme end of the carrier arm I (see Figure 3, for example). In theevent the projecting tube end including the tip I5 strikes anobstruction during use of the yarn carrier on a straight knittingmachine, the projecting tube end may yield due to the flexibility of thetubular portion I6. When the obstruction has been passed, the deflectedtube and will return to normal yam feeding position due to theresiliency of the tubular portion I6. In its yielding movements, theprojecting guide tube end having the tip I5 may move in the spacedefined by the curved end edge 6 of the carrier arm I.

The yarn guide 2 may be readily removed from the carrier arm I bylifting the projection I1 from the recess I2 and sliding the tubeendwise until the tip I5 is withdrawn from the bore 1. The tube removalmay be accomplished with the useof tweezers. The tweezers may grip thetubular portion I6 adjacent the pin or projection I1. The tube 2 may beinserted, in place in the carrier arm I by inserting the'tip I5 in theopening 8 and in the upper end of the bore 1. When endwise force isexerted on the guide tube 2, it will slide along the bore 1. As the pinI1 assumes a position opposite the recess or recesses [2, the pin I1 isreleased and, due to the resiliency of the flexible tube portion I6, issnapped into th recess or recesses I2. The resiliency of the tubularportion l6 opposes any tendency of the pin l1 to move out of its recessI2. The pin I1 and its recess l2 thus provide a latching device forretaining the guide tube 2 and carrier arm I in assembled relation. Thislatching devic also prevents longitudinal movement of the guide tube 2along the carrier arm I The guide tube 2 is thus securely held in properyarn laying position on the carrier arm I. The resiliency of the tubularportion I6 opposes any tendency of the projection I1 7 becoming unseateddue to jarring of th yarn carrier while in use on a' straight knittingmachine. The resiliency of the tubular portion I6 also permits it toyield or flex and thereby facilitates the release of the pin I1 from itsrecess I2 and the withdrawal of the guide tube 2 by a knitting machineoperator or attendant.

The curved shape of the pin I1 and the bottom of its recess I2 permitsthe pin I1 to adjust its latching position under the influence of theresilient tubular portion I6 so that the tubular portion I6 mayautomatically assume a straight line position.

The yarn carrier of Figure 10 comprises a yarn carrier arm 2I and a yarnguide tube 22. The yarn carrier arm 2I is straight at its lower endwhich, therefore, does not have the bend III of the carrier arm I. Theupper end of the carrier arm 2I is provided with openings 23 whereby thecarrier arm 2I may be secured to a carrier bar of a conventionalknitting machine by means of screw and nut connections. Thread or yarnin passing along the carrier of Figure 10 is guided by an aperture 24, aloop 25, a groove 26, and the tube 22. This tube 22 is of the sameconstruction as the tube 2 of Figures 1 and 8, for example. The tube 22is supported in a bore 21 which is formed in the arm 2I similarly to theforming of the bore 1 in the arm I of Figure 1. The lower end of thecarrier arm 2I is somewhat thinner than the lower end of the carrier armI. Due to this reduced thickness of the carrier arm 2|, the bore 21 isopen at its sides so as to be of sufficient diameter to accommodate thetube 22. A narrow opening 28 in the arm 2| extends from the lower end ofthe groove 26 to the inner end of the bore 21. The face of the arm 2| isgrooved or recessed at 29 to provide a seat or keeper for the pin ll ofthe guide tube 22. The groove 2G and the tube 22 are substantially inalignment (Figures 10 and 11) so that yarn passing therethrough willtravel in substantially a straight path. The recess or recesses 29extend laterally from the opening 28 and are positioned intermediate theopposite ends of the opening 28 as shown, for example, in Figure 12.

The carrier arms I and 2| are illustrated 9.: having the same shape fortheir lower end edge: and the same general tapered shape for theii lowerends.

The guide tube 22 is removed from and inserted in the carrier arm 2I insubstantially the same manner as explained with regard to tilt yarncarrier of Figure 1. When the carrier 01 Figure 10 is used on a knittingmachine, its tube 22 operates in the same manner as describe withrespect to the tube 2.

In both of the carriers illustrated in Figure: 1 and 10, the carrier arm(I or- 2I) is preferabl: of rigid construction with its lower end providing a substantiallyinflexible support for its guid tube. The substantialwidth of the carrier am sections at each side of a guide tubecontribute: to the rigidity of such sections even though the: areseparated along the center line of the car rier arm. The bore of eachcarrier arm, therefore, remains fixed to provide a free sliding fit withits guide tube, while avoiding objectionable lateral movement of theguide tube portion within the bore.

The resiliency of the removable yarn guide tube performs threefunctions. The resiliency permits deflection of the tube tip in event ofits striking an obstruction and insures return of the tip to normalposition when the obstruction has been passed. The resiliency opposesany tendency of the tube latch or pin to accidentally rise out ofitsrecess or pocket. The resiliency also permits the tube to be readilyflexed when an attendant inserts or replaces a yarn guide tube in acarrier arm. Thus assembly of the tube and its removal is accomplishedwith the aid of the inherent resiliency of the tube itself. The carrierarm may, therefore, be of rigid construction and provide a steadiersupport for its guide tube. 4

The carrier arms may be relatively inexpensive and may be cast in theform shown or formed from blanks with the grooves, openings and boresformed in any suitable manner. The bore which receives the centralsection of a guide tube may be formed in a drilling operation.

The foregoing is to be understood as illustrative, since this inventionincludes all modifications and embodiments coming within the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a yarn carrier for knitting machines, the combination comprising arelatively rigid yarn carrier arm, a removable guide tube supported bysaid arm and having an intermediate portion thereof of resilientconstruction in the form of coiled wire, and a latching device forretaining said tube and said carrier arm in assembled relation, saidtube being removable from said arm by flexing said tube to disengagesaid latching device and sliding said tube endwise.

2. In a yarn carrier for knitting machines, the combination comprising:a carrier arm and a removable yarn guide tube carried by said arm; saidtube having a laterally extending projection adjacent an end thereof andhaving a portion of the tube length of resilient construction, saidresilient portion extending from said projection toward the far end ofthe tube; said carrier arm having a bore extending inwardly from an endedge tlhlGOf and adapted to receive said tube, at least a portion of thelength of said bore having a shape and diameter correspondingsubstantially to the shape and outer diameter of a corresponding portionof the length of said tube, said carrier arm having a recess above saidbore portion to receive said projection with said last-named tubeportion disposed in said bore portion, said resilient tube portion beingadapted to be fiexed to permit withdrawal of said projection from saidrecess and removal of said tube endwise through said bore.

3. In a yarn carrier for knitting machines, the combination comprising:a carrier arm having a bore extending inwardly from an end edge thereof,and a recess in one face of the arm, and positioned above the inner endof said bore, the bottom of said recess curving in a directiontransversely 'of said arm; and a guide tube fitted in said. bore andhaving a. latch-like portion disposed in said recess, saidlatch-dikeportion being shaped to conform substantially to thecurvedshape of said recess. said guide tube having a resilient portion tendingto adjust said latch-like portion in said recess to maintain the tube ina substantially straight-line position while the tube is held againstlongitudinal movement by engagement of said latch-like portion and saidrecess, said resilient portion being adapted to be flexed to withdrawsaid latch-like portion from said recess inremoving said tube from saidbore and from said carrier arm.

4. In a yarn carrier for knitting machines, the combination comprising:a carrier arm having an opening adjacent an end edge thereof, a boreextending from said end edge to said opening, and a recess at at leastone side of said opening; and a removable guide tube fitted in said borewith the opposite ends of said tube extending outwardly from theopposite ends of said bore, and a projection adjacent the inner tube endand fitted in said recess to preclude longitudinal movement of said tuberelative to said bore, said tube being of resilient construction for atleast that part of its length extending between said projection and theinner end of said bore to permit lateral flexing of said tube part forwithdrawing said projection from said recess and removing said tube fromsaid carrier arm.

5. In a yarn carrier forknitting machines, the combination comprising: acarrier arm having an opening adjacent an end edge thereof, a boreextending from said end edge to said opening, and a recess at at leastone side of said opening; and a removableguide tube fitted in said borewith the opposite ends of said tube extending outwardly from theopposite ends of said bore, and a projection adjacent the inner tube endand fitted in said recess to preclude longitudinal movement of said tuberelative to said bore, said tube being of resilient construction in theform of coiled wire for at least that part of its length extendingbetween said projection and the inner end of said here to permit lateralflexing of said tube part for withdrawing said projection from saidrecess and removing said tube from said carrier arm.

6. In a yarn carrier for knitting machines, the combination comprising:a carrier arm having an opening adjacent an end edge thereof, a boreextending from said end edge to said openmg, and a recess at at leastone side of said opening, and a guide tube having a resilient portion ofcoiled wire fitted in said bore with the opposite ends of said resilientportion extending outwardly from the opposite ends of said bore, and alatch-like member adjacent the inner tube end and fitted in said recessto preclude longitudinal movement of said tube relative to said bore,whereby the outer end of said tube is free to yield in event of strikingan obstruction and whereby the tube is removable from said arm byflexing the inner tube end to withdraw said latch-like member from saidrecess and sliding said tube endwise through said bore.

7. In a yarn carrier for knitting machines, the combination comprising:a carrier arm having a bend adjacent an end edge thereof, an openingpositioned between said bend and said end edge, a bore extending fromsaid opening to said end edge, and recesses extending laterally or saidopening adjacent the end thereof remote from said bore; and a yarn guidetube having a flexible portion of coiled wire fitted in said bore withthe opposite ends of said flexible portion extending outwardly from theopposite ends of said bore, the inner end of said flexible portionextending along said opening and having a latchlike member fltted insaid recesses to preclude longitudinal movement of said tube. relativeto said'arm. whereby the outer end of said tube is part of the armlength from an end edge or said arm; said straight section having a boreextending inwardly from said end edge. a groove in substantial alignmentwith said bore, an eye opening between said bore and said groove, andaligned recesses extending laterally of said opening andspaced from saidbore and from said groove; and a yarn guide tube having a flexiblevportion of coiled wire fitted in said bore with the opposite ends ofsaid flexible portion extending outwardly from the opposite ends of saidbore, the inner end of said flexible portion extending along saidopening and having a latchlike member fitted in said recesses topreclude longitudinal movement of said tube relative to said arm,whereby the outer end of said tube is free to yield in event of strikingan obstruction and whereby the tube is removable from said arm byflexingthe inner tube end to withdrawn said latch-like member from saidrecesses and sliding said tube endwise through said bore.

9. In a yarn carrier for knitting machines, the

\ combination comprising a guide tube and a carrier arm; said tubehaving a discharge end, a receiving end, an intermediate portion of thelength thereof of resilient construction in the form of helically coiledwire, and laterally projecting means adjacent said receiving end; saidarm having a bore extending inwardly of an end edge thereof, an openingat the inner end of said bore, and a recess in a face thereof, saidrecess being adjacent said inner bore end and extending laterally ofsaid opening; said tube extending through said arm bore with said tubedischarge end positioned beyond the outer end oi said bore and with saidlaterally projecting means engaging said recess to prevent endwisimovement of said tube, said projecting mean: being adapted to bedisengaged from said recess by flexing said intermediate tube portion.

10. For use in a yarn carrier having a carrier arm provided with a boreand a recess, a yarn uide tube comprising a resilient coiled sprinetubular portion. an apertured wear-resisting ti; secured to one end ofsaid tubular member, and an element secured to the other end of saidtubular member and projecting laterally, therefrom, said tube beingadapted to be carried by the carrier arm with an intermediate portion ofsaid tubular member fitted in said bore and with said element extendinginto the carrier arm recess to preclude longitudinal movement of saidtube relative to the arm bore, the inner end portion of said tubularmember being adapted to be flexed for withdrawing said element from thearm recess, and the outer end of said tubular member being adapted toyieldingly maintain said tip in yarn laying position beyond the carrierarm.

11. For use in a yarn carrier having a carrier arm provided with a boreand a recess, a yarn guide tube comprising a resilient coiled springtubular portion, an apertured wear resisting tip secured to one end ofsaid tubular member, and an element secured to the other end of saidtubular member, said element having a pin-like shape with the oppositeends thereof extending from opposite sides of said tubular portion,having an aperture aligned with said tubular portion, and having a sidethereof of arcuate shape, said tube being adapted to be carried by thecarrier arm with an intermediate portion of said tubular member fittedin said bore and with said element extending into the carrier arm recessto preclude longitudinal movement of said tube relative to the arm bore,the inner end portion of said tu bular member being adapted to be flexedfor withdrawing said element from the arm recess, and the outer end ofsaid tubular member being adapted to yieldingly maintain said tip inyarn laying position beyond the carrier arm.

FRANK G. WEISBECKER.

or the above numbered patent re cmmncam or connzcnou. Patent No.2,317,318. April 20, 191;

, mm: c. wmssxcm.

It' is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationquiring correction as follows: Page 1, first read --This--; and secondcolumn, line 55, after page' 2, first column, line 8, for 'slidably"r'ead a1ight1y--; page 1;, first column, line 1-52, claim a, for"withdrawn" read --withdraw--; and that the said Letters Patent shouldbe read with thia correction therein that the same may conform. to therecord of the case the Patent Office.

Sigried and a ealed thia 25th da or gu A. n. 191;.5.

column, lizie 1, Ifor The "arm" insert --'-end--;

Henry Van- Arsdale (Seal) Acting commieaioner o: Patents.

